To use a travel eSIM from Roamiya (or any provider), your phone MUST be carrier unlocked.
⚠️ Important: "Carrier Locked" means your phone is restricted to only work with the SIM cards of the company you bought it from (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, EE, O2, SoftBank).
If your phone is locked, the Roamiya eSIM installation will fail with an error like "Cellular Plan Cannot Be Added" or "SIM Not Valid."
🚀 Instant Check: The iOS Method
For iPhone users, checking is easy and accurate.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Scroll down to look for "Carrier Lock".
✅ Good Result: If it says "No SIM restrictions", your phone is unlocked! You can use Roamiya.
❌ Bad Result: If it says "SIM locked" or shows a specific carrier name (e.g., "Vodafone"), your phone is locked. You must contact that carrier to unlock it.
🤖 Instant Check: Android / Samsung
The settings menu varies, but here are the best ways to check on Android:
Method 1: The Different SIM Test (Best)
- Borrow a physical SIM card from a friend who uses a different carrier than you.
- Insert it into your phone.
- Try to make a call.
- If it works, you are unlocked. If it asks for an "Unlock Code" or says "Sim Invalid", you are locked.
Method 2: The Settings Check (Samsung)
- Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks.
- Look for "Network Operators".
- Try to manually search for networks. If you can see and select other networks, you are likely unlocked.
- Note: This method is less 100% reliable than Method 1.
🔓 How to Unlock Your Phone
If your phone is locked, you don't need to buy a new one. You can request an unlock from your carrier.
Typical requirements to unlock:
- You must have paid off the device in full.
- Your contract term must be finished.
- Your account must be in good standing (no unpaid bills).
| Carrier | Unlock Policy (General) |
|---|---|
| AT&T | Submit request online; must be paid off. |
| Verizon | Automatically unlocks 60 days after purchase. |
| T-Mobile | Unlocks automatically after payoff + 40 days active. |
| Vodafone UK | Free to unlock via online form. |
| EE UK | Text UNLOCK to 150. |
| SoftBank JP | Unlock via My SoftBank online. |
Timeframe: Unlocking can take from 24 hours to 5 business days. Do this before your trip!
⚠️ Refund Policy Notice
Please verify your lock status before purchasing.
Per our Refund Policy, we cannot issue refunds if you purchase an eSIM but cannot use it because your phone is carrier locked. We deliver the digital product successfully, but the device restriction prevents its use.
Next Steps
Device unlocked? Great! Check if your model supports eSIM technology: 👉 Supported Devices List